Pipe-cleaning or cable-laying device



June 3, 1930.

M. SEIDEL PIPE CLEANING OR CABLE LAYING DEVICE IINVENTOR I v BY%WM Filed May 18, 1929 ATTORNEYs Patented June 3, 1930 UNITED. STATES MORRIS SEIDEL, OF BROOKLYN, NEKN YORK- PIPE-CLEANING OR-CABLE-LAYING DEVICE Application filed May 18,

My invention relates to a new and improved pipe-cleaning or cable-laying device.

The invention is also useful for leading wires, cables, or the like, through conduits, so that it is not to be limited to a pipe cleaning device.

One of the objects of my invention is .to provide a light, simple, compact and eflicient device for cleaning ho use drains.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device having an operating tool connected to the end of a bendable but stiff and resilient metal tape, the tape being wound upon a reel to form a compact coil.

Another object of my invention is to provide guide means whereby the tape is compactly wound into spiral form and is restrained from springing out of said compactly wound form, said tape being suitably guided go as it is unwound and forced into the pipe to be cleaned. Any suitable tool may be connected to the forward end of the tape.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and efficient mount and drive for the tape, to force it into the pipe, or to retract it from the pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamp or look device for the unwound portion of. the tape in the casing, so that if the casing is turned, the tape turns in unison therewith.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which can be operated for all purposes by a single attendant.

Other objects of my invention are set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that the above statement of the objects of my invention is intended to generally explain the same with out limiting it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the use of the device.

The device comprises a casing C having a cover C". An angular metal arm 6 is connected to the casing and projects therein to support a bearing-for the shaft S, and to support the arm 5.

1929. Serial No. 364,058.

The shaft S has a gear 1 which meshes with 'suitablyconnected to said face, which may.

for convenience, be termed the inner face of the reel. The arm 5 passes through the arm 4, and arms 5 and 4 are held in suitable relative position by a nut and a bearing sleeve, so that the reel R is turnably held in the position shown in Fig. 2. Anti-friction members, such as balls or rollers 21 may be connected to the adjacent wall of the casing C, so that the adjacent face of the reel can be pressed against said anti-friction members, without hindering the easy turning of the reel. The shaft S is turned in either direction by a ratchet mechanism R (diagrammatically illustrated) and operated by arm H. The details of ratchet mechanism R- are well known, as similar ratchet drlves have been used in jacks, etc., and hence such detailsare not illustrated herein.

A tape T, preferably of rectangular cross section is wound on reel R. Said tape is made of resilient steel, preferably inch wide, and inch thick, and while said tape is bendable and resilient, it is so stifi that it cannot be wound into spiral form with adj acent layers contacting, without supplemental means.

Said supplemental means comprise guiderollers 14 mounted in the inner forked ends of radial rods 11, which slide in radial sleeves 10, which are integral with casing C. Compr'ession springs 12 force rods 11 inwardly. The pressure of the radial springs 12 is sufficient to cause tape T to be compactly wound on reel R, although I do not wish to limit myself to a winding which is so tight that adjacent layers of the tape contact with each other.

The outer end of the tape is guided between rollers 8, and said outer end passes over a roller 8. A clamp 9, which can be operated from the outside of the device, serves to clamp the outer end of the tape against roller 8. whenever desired. A tool 20 of any type, and having a compression spring 20, may be connected to the outer end of the tape.

The casing C may be mounted on trunnions aligned with the outer free end of the tape, and the casing may be rocked or turned in said trunnions by arm 21"; The casing has handles 15.

. The operation of the device is as follows When it is desired to clean a pipe P, the casing is placed in suitable position, the clamp 9 is released, and the reel R is turned to force the free end of the tape into pipe P. When the tool 20, or the free end of the tape, encounters an obstruction in the pipe through which the tool or free end cannot pass, or when the free end of the tape encounters a sharp bend in the pipe through which the tape cannot readily pass, the operator may turn the casing C on an axis which preferably is aligned with the axis of the free end of the tape so that the free end of the tape is turned or revolved about its own axis.

However, the casin may be mounted to turn on an axis whic is spaced from the free end of the tape, so that said free end is either oscillated in a circular path, or is rotated about the turning axis of the casing. The tape is preferably clamped by means of member 9, before the casing is turned.

Hence, the operator may move the free end of the tape back and forth, or oscillate or revolve or rotate the tape, when the tape encounters an obstruction or bend. A powerful mechanical movement is thus provided in combination with a stiff tape, which ordinarily is operated by hand.

If the tape develops any bends or inequalities, these are straightened by the rollers 8, which are forced towards each other with the necessary pressure.

While I prefer to use a tape having a rectangular cross section, I could also use any ordinary Wire or the like, without departing from my invention.

However it is an important feature of my invention that I use a relatively stiff tape which can be positively clamped on the unwound portion thereof by the members 8 and 9. The operation of the device is entirely different from previously known devices in which a helically wound wire was used instead of the tape T. Such helically wound wire had practically no transverse stiffness, so that there would be no advantage in turning or otherwise moving the casing C in order to clear an obstruction, or to cause the free end of the tape to pass around a bend of the pipe.

For example, the casing C may be made so small that it can be conveniently held by the operator so that said casing may be turned or moved in any suitable manner to cause the free end of the tape to pass around a bend of the pipe.

Likewise, the outlet end of the casing C may be shaped so as to prevent any lateral movement of the free end of the tape with respect to said outlet end. This would permit the operator to manipulate the casing together with the free end of the tape, to cause the tape to pass around a bend in the pipe, without being compelled to manipulate the clamping or locking device 9.

Hence, whenever I refer to a holding device in the claims, it is to be understood that I broadly refer to any device which will substantially prevent any movement of the free end of the tape with respect to said reel, other than the movement produced by the turning of said reel.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be made without de arting from its spirit.

claim:

1. A device of the type specified, comprising a reel on which a stiff but resilient metal tape of rectangular cross-section is wound in a close spiral coil, the width of said tape greatly exceeding its thickness, said device being turnable about an axis which is substantially coincident with the central axis of the unwound portion of said tape which is adjacent said reel, radially movable guide means associated with said reel and pressing said bendable tape toward the surface of said reel to maintain the coil in close spiral form, and additional guide means adapted to cause the unwound portion of said tape to be fed in a straight line, said tape being so stiff that it cannot readily be wound to form a close spiral coilwithout the use of said first mentioned uide means.

2. A device of the type specified, compris- I ing a reel on which a stiff but resilient metal tape of rectangular cross-section is wound in a close spiral coil, the width of said tape greatly exceeding its thickness, and roller guide means associated with the unwound portion of said tape which is adjacent said reel, said roller guide means exerting pressure against directly opposite portions of the wide faces of said tape in varying degrees of winding or unwinding.

3. A device-0f the type specified, comprising a reel on which a stiff but resilient metal tape of rectangular cross-section is wound, the width of said tape greatly exceeding its thickness, and roller guide means associated with the unwound portion of said tape which is adjacent said reel, said roller guide means constantly exerting pressure against directly opposite portions of the wide faces of said tape, and clamping means engaging the wide faces of said tape, said roller guide means being located between said reel and said clampmg means.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a reel, a relatively broad flexible tape resistent to deformation under normal conditions of operation adapted to be wound upon said reel, and means for guiding said tape when wound upon or unwound from said reel, and means for preventing twisting of said wire relative to said reel.

5. A device of the character described vomprising a reel, a relatively broad flexible tape resistent to deformation under normal conditions of operation adapted to be wound u on saidreel, means for guiding said tape w hen wound upon or unwound from said reel, and means mounted on the reel casing for operating the reel, and means for preventing twisting of said Wire relative to said reel.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS SEIDEL. 

